Usyk’s Promoter: No Undisputed Shot For Joshua If Usyk Beats Fury
Anthony Joshua’s potential rematch with Oleksandr Usyk appears doubtful, particularly if Usyk secures victory against Tyson Fury, according to Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk. The two heavyweight fighters have already squared off twice, with Usyk emerging victorious in both encounters. Their initial clash in 2021 saw Usyk claim a unanimous decision, clinching the titles of WBA,…
Anthony Joshua’s potential rematch with Oleksandr Usyk appears doubtful, particularly if Usyk secures victory against Tyson Fury, according to Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk. The two heavyweight fighters have already squared off twice, with Usyk emerging victorious in both encounters. Their initial clash in 2021 saw Usyk claim a unanimous decision, clinching the titles of WBA, WBO, and IBF Unified Heavyweight Champion. A year later, their rematch in Saudi Arabia ended with Joshua losing via a split decision, despite an improved performance.
However, Joshua has demonstrated resilience since then, undergoing a significant resurgence under the guidance of coach Ben Davidson. His recent wins over Otto Wallin, who quit on the stool, and Francis Ngannou, whom he knocked out, have reignited interest in his career. Despite these triumphs, Krassyuk doubts Joshua’s willingness to engage in a third bout with Usyk, given the outcomes of their previous encounters. He analogizes Joshua’s potential reluctance to a risky gambling addiction, where one continues to bet increasingly in hopes of recovering losses, only to end up losing everything.
Krassyuk also highlights the likelihood of mandatory challenges complicating a potential third fight between Joshua and Usyk. He emphasizes that the IBF, not the WBC, holds precedence in the sequence of mandatory challengers. Regardless of the outcome between Fury and Usyk, Krassyuk asserts that Usyk’s camp will pursue a rematch with Joshua as the next logical step.
For Joshua, the path to a potential undisputed title fight hinges on Fury prevailing in both of his upcoming matches. However, even if this scenario does not materialize, Joshua still has lucrative options on the table. The prospect of facing Fury remains an enticing domestic mega-clash, despite Fury’s potential loss to Usyk. Previous negotiations between the two camps have stalled due to unrealistic deadlines, but the allure of the matchup persists.
Additionally, Joshua could revisit the possibility of a showdown with Deontay Wilder. A previously agreed two-fight deal between the two was contingent upon both securing victories in their respective matches. While Joshua succeeded against Wallin, Wilder faltered against Joseph Parker. Nonetheless, Joshua has left the door open for a potential bout with Wilder in the future.
In conclusion, while a third bout between Joshua and Usyk seems improbable at present, Joshua’s future in the heavyweight division remains promising, with various high-profile matchups and opportunities awaiting him.